One Love by Bob Marley & the Wailers

Album: Exodus (1977)

Charted: 5

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Songfacts®:

Marley's idea was that everyone in the world should stop fighting and become one - a similar sentiment to John Lennon's "Imagine" and George Harrison's "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)." There is, however, a deeper meaning behind the song than a simple call for unity. Some of the lyrics are about oppression and how sinners will pay for their evil deeds in the end. For many listeners, the deeper message is lost in the overwhelming chorus.
Marley wrote this song amid the turmoil of the Jamaican elections in December 1976. Marley had supported Michael Manley when he won the election in 1972 and became Prime Minister of Jamaica, but four years later, Marley was by far the most popular person in Jamaica, and he refused to take a political stance as the country was divided between Manley's People's National Party and the Jamaican Labour Party headed by Edward Seaga.

It was very violent time in the country, and Marley tried to stay politically neutral while offering peace and shelter however he could - his Hope Road home was kind of a safehouse for people with nowhere to go. The journalist Vivien Goldman was with Marley at the time and remembers him working on "One Love" while sitting on his small bed while a young girl sat on the other end and other visitors gathered in the room. Marley created a song that was both peaceful and angry at the same time.
An early version of this song was released in 1965 (by The Wailers) and issued as a single in Jamaica. In 1977, Bob Marley & the Wailers released the updated version on the Exodus album which became the definitive rendition and made #5 in the UK.
This incorporates parts of the 1965 Impressions song "People Get Ready." Impressions leader Curtis Mayfield, who wrote that song, was a big influence on Bob Marley, and "People Get Ready" contains many elements of Marley's message: unity, spirituality and struggle.

The 1965 version of "One Love" didn't credit Mayfield, but when the 1977 version was issued, it was listed as "One Love/People Get Ready" and credited to Marley and Mayfield.
In America, the only version of this song to chart was by the cast of the TV show Glee, who brought the song to #41 in 2010.
Ben & Jerry's, the ice cream manufacturer known for quirky flavors (including "Cherry Garcia," inspired by the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia), named a banana-flavored pint after this tune. Mix-ins include caramel and graham cracker swirls and chocolate peace signs. A similar concoction, "Satisfy My Bowl," was released in the UK in 2014 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Marley's Legend album.
Jason Mraz sang this in a 2005 Gap commercial, which featured artists wearing their favorite Gap-brand jeans while singing their favorite songs. Mraz, who regards Marley as his idol in both music and life, frequently covers Marley's tunes in concert.
This was used in several movies, including Shrek Forever After (2010), Marley & Me (2008), Evan Almighty (2007), and Chain Reaction (1996).
Bob's son Stephen Marley, a musician who often performs the song, considers "One Love" his dad's signature song. "Love is the answer to all of these issues," he told Steve Baltin in the book Anthems We Love. "It is love for humanity, love for the environment, love is the universal cure for all of these things, our world being in some of these positions we're in."
Thanks to this song, the phrase "One Love" came to be synonymous with Bob Marley. In 2024 it was used in the title to his biopic Bob Marley: One Love, starring Kingsley Ben-Adir and produced by Bob's son Ziggy.

Comments: 55

Mboma Trevor from Zambia-monguVery touching
Scott from New Port Richey Florida It is helping me with my depression from the accident I was in back in 2016 because of I was only one that survived out of the four people that got hit by an SUV while we were on a golf cart and one of the people that died in it was my fiance and it's helping me with my depression a little and I'm a Christian soon may I listen to because it helps me feel easier and I plan on actually telling them at my church.
Dave from Comox Valley, British ColumbiaMy best friend died a week ago. I have been using
"One Love! One Heart!
Let's get together and feel all right."
As a tag for the e-mails I have been sending out announcing her Celebration of Life.
Each of us holds an incomplete piece of the whologram of our dear friend. When we get together we get a much clearer picture of the good friend we've lost along the wa-ay.
Just as each one of us holds an incomplete piece of what Bob meant; let's get together and feel all right with the more complete whole.
Just as we are all a piece of the unknowable whologram some call JAH….
Jeff from Dayton, OhWhat is wrong with you people? This is a forum about music not weed. I'm not condemning anyone who smokes or doesn't, do your own thing, but don't be ignorant in believing smoking anything is good for you. FYI, the safest way to use weed is with a vaporizor. Also, if you can't enjoy this song without weed you may not really like it at all. Second. We are missing the message of the song itself. Stop judging everyone and let them do thier own thing but we all need to come together and accept the diversity God created. "Is there a place for the hopeless sinner, who has hurt all mankind just to save his own beliefs?". "Have pity on those whose chances grows thinner; there ain't no hiding place from the Father of Creation." That's a warning to all the fighting and arguing going on right here on this page. Then finally, "Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right; Let's get together and feel all right.". So nice, gotta say it twice, "Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right; Let's get together and feel all right."
Deena from Castlerock, Coim 14 and ive been smokin 4 a long time. it is good 4 u it makes u happy and feel good.
Cameron from Jensen Beach, Flreally ppl whats the point in fighting over weed im 13 and ive smoked.......its nothin much so why can't you ppl stop fighting over a stupid topic like this
Nickyb from Scituate, Mabob marley is my s--t, weed is too. if you dont like puffing on le ganj or rollin piff bluntskiis, then dont hate. weed isnt a substance to everyone. to me, its a way of life. f--k all the haters, the posers and the 2 faced. if you wanna be all ignorant and give all us peaceful stoners s--t, go for it. but dont be gettin heated when you come home from work to find me in bed with your girl smokin on a fatty. peace love and dank marijuana to everyone.
Jack from Nashville, TnWow, I love that all these people searched ONE LOVE on this website, only to bash people on the message boards
That being said, marijuana is the only drug (alcohol, narcotics, caffeine, etc.) that can't kill you from an overdose. It is a joke that it's illegal, while alcohol is easily purchased, and anybody who can read can drive a car. I have never even smoked pot, but I try to keep an open mind, to each his own.

As for the song, I believe that if everybody just listened to this, and took in the lyrics, the world would be a better place. Just listening to it puts me in a more ccepting, happy mood, which is exactly what we all need. Please stop fighting over the weed, we gotta realize and accept that everybody has their own opinion, but in the end we're all brothers and sisters, which is what matters.
Samantha from Gouldsboro, PaThough i hate to keep talking about weed, it does not kill brain cells, it makes them inactive, practically putting them to sleep. And the one that has got a problem with the way people spell things, 1st of all maybe they were typing fast, im sure they couldve spelled it five if they took their time, and 2nd maybe you wouldn't be so quick to judge if you smoked a joint yourself. ;D
Thom from Redding, Ca"Is there a place for the hopeless sinner/Who has hurt all mankind just to save his own (beliefs)" is from Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready", which is why this song is called "One Love/ People Get Ready".
Cris from Hosuston, Txoops, I got caught up in the debate about marijuana. My reason for being on here is to read about the interpretation on the music. Bob Marley was a gifted artist. For those judging his smoke status, who cares really? He was sharing a message and we have the option to listen or not listen. In our present day and age it is very difficult to find artists who can truly emote strong thought provoking art. I'm 30 and even I know that my generation has not been able to contribute to society in regards to music and politics the way the generations before us have.
Cris from Hosuston, TxI am just a regualr non-denominational Christian and I appreciate the Rastafarian beliefs. Marijuana? Who cares? Mind you own business. There are other evils in life that are both legal and illegal. When I was younger I did like to puff-puff and drinky drinky. In my experience, the smokers I typically met were calmer and more pleasant than the drinkers I was around at college parties. Stop judging, we're all doing something "stupid". If I feel like someone is doing wrong, I pray for them and pray for myself for judging. Live and let live.
Dayton from Bremerton, Waalright. all of you people who are hating on stoners please just be quite. obviously you fear what you do not know so please dont criticize us for liking it. You can criticize the people that smoke weed cuz it "makes you laugh" cuz that is stupid and not at all what weed is about. Rastafarians believe that weed helps you connect with god and yourself, although i do not believe in god i definately agree that it helps you connect with yourself. When i smoke weed i like to be alone so i can sit and think about things and ponder questions that i have. Also, whoever that was that said that weed obviously makes you lose brain cells because the stoners on here cant spell , is right in that it does kill brain cells but it has been scientifically proven that a lot of very smart people are terrible spellers. It has nothing to do with how smart you are unless you are ridiculously stupid.
Tori from New York, Jamaicareally who cares if marley smoked weed. who doesnt thesee dayss i mean really. and marleys music was from the heart and promoted peace and happiness so yeahh. and i like the comment above from Andrew----All of those who are constantly Knocking weed and say it will make you die are all going to die of something, at least ill die haveing a good time.. thats how it is..:)
Trevor from Tulsa, OkI think its funny how people tend to act like they understand Rastafari when they don't. Smoking weed or ganja is to obtain a transended state of mind, to bring you out into the existance of Zion (or Africa) and to see the Great Lion of Judah, Its not that they are doing it because they "want to get happy" or any of that, its cause its their way of life; they smoke then spend hours reading and understanding verses in the Torah.
Bmw from Pon Dis Earth, -"when you smoke the herb, it reveals you to yourself."
Amit from Tustin, CaMost of the poyheads that listen to bob marley by that matter listen to a little reggea doesnt even know about the rastafarian religion
Ryan from Morris Plains, NjBob marley is the best, guys.
Justin from Feeding Hills, ya kinda sounded pretty suspicious there, but you still made an excellent point. Marley didn't smoke pot cuz he was a bum! He smoke it to follow the Rastafariqn belief: it helps you connect to God! Now, i'm not saying that joint is good to smoke or anything- just saying that he didn't use it to try to intentionally mutilate himself.
Musicmama from New York, NyAbout 99 percent of the people who've heard of this song know only the first stanza, which plays on an Air Jamaica commercial. As such, it's a feel-good verse--albeit an excellent one--that builds into the powerful rhythm and message of the rest of the song.

And what gives this song such authority, both artistically and morally? It's what I like to think of as a spiritual call to arms, for lack of a better term. In other words, Bob isn't asking us to love our fellow humans; he's daring us to it. Wow!

As an aside: Did anyone notice that this was the song that played in "Marley and Me" when John decided to name his newly-adopted pup "Marley?" Naturally, you hear only the first verse, but it still expresses the undertone of the movie: "One Love."
Theodore from Marysville, WaHow come so many people worry about bob doing weed? He wrote the songs and played them and had a great message. Its really a shame how people can stereotype Marley fans as pot heads though. I got long hair (around a foot and a half) , i like tye dye, i'm a Marley, Hendrix, and Beetles fan, and its a verbal bitch slap in the testicles when i tell people i don't do weed. :p
Kchris from Denver!, CoI think Bob Marley and his message will live forever. It is inspirational and positive. His message is good and clear - Peace, Love and Unity! I myself love a lot of reggae music for it's revolutionary and "for the people" message. Bob still lives on strong with youngsters today and with people who have been listening tohis music for 30+ years! I do smoke the herb but that is not the only reason I love his music and still have to have a weekly dose of Bob Marley at the least. Peace, Love and No War and Unity for all of mankind!!!! Take care
KChrisDenCO
Justin from Feeding Hills,I believe that Ian is right it is nonsence to just listen to bob marley because he smokes weed that means all these kids are not using weed the way it should be to connect with god to be one with him and love as the same reason i believe that marley did and everyone has there judgement day and if they continue to use pot in the wrong way they will never make the connection and realize its not about getting stoned its about being one with love god and all of peace
Amelie from Los Angeles, CaI heard somewhere that when two men (I do not know who) were running a campaign in Jamaica, Bob Marley got onstage and started singing "One Love."

I guess he was trying to remind them that Jamaica was the "one love" they were fighting so passionately for.

It's a nice touch. Definietly musn't loose sight of what's important.

Thanks, Bob =]
Bobby from Los Angeles, CaBob Marley did a lot of good in his lifetime, and fought for what he believed in. I don't agree that smoking weed is good for you, but nobody's perfect, not even Bob Marley. What he chose to do as a part of his culture should have nothing to do with him being a moral person. His message is about non-violence and love. I don't think that any of us can honestly say that just because he smoked weed, we should not follow his example of compassion and peace.
Andrea from Sønderborg, DenmarkPaul McCartney's in the video.
Bmw from Pon Dis Earth, -One Love! One Heart!
Let's get together and feel all right.
Hear the children cryin' (One Love!);
Hear the children cryin' (One Heart!),
Sayin': give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right;
Sayin': let's get together and feel all right. Wo wo-wo wo-wo!

Let them all pass all their dirty remarks (One Love!);
There is one question I'd really love to ask (One Heart!):
Is there a place for the hopeless sinner,
Who has hurt all mankind just to save his own beliefs?

One Love! What about the one heart? One Heart!
What about - ? Let's get together and feel all right
As it was in the beginning (One Love!);
So shall it be in the end (One Heart!),
All right!
Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right;
Let's get together and feel all right.
One more thing!

Let's get together to fight this Holy Armagiddyon (One Love!),
So when the Man comes there will be no, no doom (One Song!).
Have pity on those whose chances grows t'inner;
There ain't no hiding place from the Father of Creation.

Sayin': One Love! What about the One Heart? (One Heart!)
What about the - ? Let's get together and feel all right.
I'm pleadin' to mankind! (One Love!);
Oh, Lord! (One Heart) Wo-ooh!

Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right;
Let's get together and feel all right.
Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right;
Let's get together and feel all right. ( it is what it is ) thanks bob.
Lavenia from Castle Rock, WaI love Bob, i think that he was a good person! He was open-minded and wanted to love every one. i smoke weed...and i love God. this song is a perfect mix...
Andrew from Evansville, InApparently there are only about 5 people that have posted here that know anything about the Rastafari Movement or anything that corresponds with it. Bob Marley was one of the leading voices for the movement of peace, love, and freedom from oppression. And for all of you who say he was just some stoner, weed was a spiritual outlet that cleansed the soul according to the rastafari followers. So he wasn't just "some druggie". So get the facts straight, don't live in ignorance.

"Conquer the devils with a little thing called love!"
- Bob Marley
Terry from London, EnglandI find it very odd that out of all the comments made here nobody has even mentioned Haile selassie.The song One Love is blatantly about the acceptance of his majesty as Almighty god and how impotant it is to love HIM and through HIM alone you can be prepared for a spiritual war or Armaggedon. When the man comes there will be no doom.
Dennis from Anaheim, CaYou guys are a bunch of retards--THE MESSAGE-- the beautifully delivered words & music, talking about hear the children cryin, or is dere a place for de opeless sinner who as urt all mankind--just to save his own
Let's get together & feel alright
Matt from Chicagoish, Il It just goes to show that weed does kill brain cells. Check out the comments from the potheads about this song. They are the "masters" at spelling and grammar. By the way I DON'T smoke weed and I think this song is joyous experience.
- Vickie, Sydney, Australia

I find it funny that I DO smoke pot and found that the last sentence doesn't make sense. Along with this you are obviously missing the message if you are discriminating people for not being as gifted a spelling as you are. To be quite frank smoking pot is a lot more environmentally safe and healthier to our society then a lot of things that are legal. I.E. Alcohol and Cars.
Kayla from Albuquerque, NmLook my names kayla, and i live in albuquerque not everybody likes Marley here its like 3 out of ten people who know him and 1 out of that 3 people that pay attention to him. Bob marley i think myself, is a very special person his songs are from the heart his songs are wat he experienced as a kid wether it was good or bad either way he was happy he was living theres nobody on earth like him no more everybody's a joke now these days. Although i dont listen to him all the time his songs stil play in my head and wen i do play his song it reaches that place in my heart that makes me wonder abt the things i do or the things i say, it makes me realize
from wrong or right.His thoughts were always right even tho he smoked yeah he was sick but his heart was still well and stiil is i think that all should remember him cause he changed our world forever..............
Jacob from Texarkana, TxPeople..i lived in the keys,and bob is an outstanding icon to people....to some poeple hes cool cuz he smokes pot,an to others,his music is peacful and meaning full..but i smoke pot,and no i dont think its a bad thing,its not man made like drinkin
Eddie from Philadelphia, WaVickie from Sydney - you are exactly right, that's the first thing I thought of as well. How come I always seem to agree with Australians? Maybe I should move there. Will you marry me if I do?
Tyler from Beverly, MaBob Marley's words will ring true until the last second of humanity. One Love may reference to weed, but it is much deeper than that. It's about not judging people. It's about love and respect for oneself and everyone else. We are all in this thing together. Black, White, Lime Green, it doesn't matter. We all bleed the same blood and spend the same color money. You may not know it but someone, somewhere across the world is going through the same struggles and triumphs that you are. One Love may have religious conotation but for me, I think it's important to recognize that there is more that one path to the top of a mountain. We need to think big and act locally. Give people a chance and then make your judgement. We all need to go deeper than the topsoil. I'm not soft but I have nothing but love for all. Thanks for letting me express this. One.
Jerry from Mendota, Iljust for all you people that think our above people who smoke weed because you dont.

my choice is what i choose to do and if im causing no harm it shouldnt bother you.
your choice is who you choose o be, and if your causing no harm then your all right with me
Jerry from Mendota, Ilalright come on people, weed and bob marley go hand in hand...regardless whethere you appreciate bobs message or just the chronic itself....
i smoke everyday but lemme tell you...i love bob, ive got like 34 bob cds and theyre constantly in and out of my cd player, the man is a symbol of peace and love. sometihng that to many people today forget about. and why you listen to his music.......doesnt matter, ust as long as your listening.
T from Here, VaDrop the whole weed thing. You only make it worse for people like myself who smoked weed and did other drugs in the past but no longer care to partake in such pasttimes. Marley was a genius, and regardless of whether he did drugs or not, he will remain in my eyes as a spiritual revolutionary with more on his mind than pot. I still enjoy his music, and I dont do drugs. Believe it or not, this is entirely possible.
Bill from Erie, PaYes, Marley did convert to Christianity a few months before his death, namely the Ethiopian Orthodox variety, which would probably seem really strange to all of us here. He took the name Berhane Selassie at his baptism, which means "The Light of the Holy Trinity". However, this did not fix his life in any way, as he was just about to die, and he continued to smoke weed afterwards.
Ian from Aint Tellin, Caone think i that makes me mad is when potheads listen to Bob Marley because he smoked. Im not saying the smokers here listen to him because of he smoked as i dont know any of you but there are a grip of potheads at my school that listen to Bob Marley and when i ask them why they say because he smoked weed. All for the wrong reasons.
Nathan from From The Country Of, CanadaLane from Jackson Wyoming that was one of the dumbest comments i've seen on this...the people around you while your smoking weed were probably were the ones that passed it to you haha. i dont dissown it i dont condone it...do whatever helps you through. The Beatles smoked are they any less respected? no. is it racial? maybe. but that song ive been told has help connect thousands of oppressed jamaicans in the time of the song so just shuddup and enjoy a good-messaged song.
Simon from Uk, Englandbob marley in fact became a converted to christianity 9 months before his death, in reality his life was not that great before this and he was not living in a happy drug infused world, the guy couldnt sleep without drugs. not that that makes him a bad person in anyway what so ever. however he would not glorify drug taken and would he quite the opposite.
Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScGreat song! I wish radio would play it more! It has a great message.
Vickie from Sydney, AustraliaIt just goes to show that weed does kill brain cells. Check out the comments from the potheads about this song. They are the "masters" at spelling and grammar. By the way I DON'T smoke weed and I think this song is joyous experience.
Floyd from Dallas, TxThis song is like the jamacan national anthem. it rules
David from Brunswick, Gap.s. bob marley songs are full of love and joy so what if he smoked pot
Alexio from Haslemere, Englandand just saying smoking weed is nothing to boast abouti have done harder drugs and i still smoke weed regually, people its not cool and im not proud of it but its still over rated in badness cause its healthier than most things on earth lol so every1 just focus on the music rather than lifestyles
Alexio from Haslemere, Englandpeople, bob marley was an incredible musician and his music symbolized so much joy and love and he admitted himself that he was just a man who wanted to make people happy and bring them together, he succeeded and this is my fave song by him, angels right bout bob marleys death and
this is a place of musical reflection not pointless drugs arguments cause every1 has there own oppinion.
one love means just that one love and one unity and beliefs so stop arguing and just relax!
Angel from Woodstock, CanadaHe had cancer in his Toe and didn't get it amputated because of religious beliefs. This cancer spread to his brain and that's what killed him. I smoke weed on occasion, and I'm sorry, but why would some doctors PRESCRIBE IT to people with Glycoma, and other people in a lot of pain, if it was going to kill them any faster than cigarettes or alcohol? As far as I know suicide practices are still illegal. So instead of bashing it, legalize it and save almost a net worth of $37 Billion and put it toward something usefull. Check out this site, http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/library/basicfax.htm it's extreamly informative. Even if you don't smoke it or ever want to, save the drama (ie. guns to the head, etc.) and save it for the war against obesity.
Alex from Ottawa, CanadaBob died at age 36 of cancer, I quesion why he's such a good weed role model?
Sully from Newport, VtIgnoring this current debate about weed, this song is largely based upon Curtis Mayfield's song, People Get Ready.
Andrew from Indianpolis, InAll of those who are constantly Knocking weed and say it will make you die are all going to die of something, at least ill die haveing a good time
Susan from Airdrie, CanadaThe message isn't lost on those of us who can't, and never could, stand weed!
Kevin from San Diego, CaThose who have never shared a joint with your best friends while listening to One Love and Bobs other classics have never truly lived. For those who say weed kills people, you have obviously never tried it. You can't knock that which you have not experienced.
Chad from Arvada, Coif you dont smoke everyday, at least think about it all the time. Be a rasta-hippie at heart. Anyway, Marley was a man who expressed his pain and experience through music, everytime I hear the live version of redemption song it creates tears in my mind and soul. When he performed this, he knew that he was dieing, he sang for peace. long live jah movement.

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